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Lillee to monitor Johnson after comeback

Dennis Lillee will monitor injured Mitchell Johnson\'s training once he is back from the foot injury.

Perth: Legendary fast bowler Dennis Lillee will monitor injured pacer Mitchell Johnson's training once he is back from the foot injury that has ruled him out of competitive cricket for a period of six months.

"Mitchell and I had a chat and he wants to talk to me again when he is ready to start again. I've got some thoughts on fast bowlers and the way they should train," Lillee said.

"My forte is more as a technical coach than game plans and that sort of thing but we will have a look at all that. I will talk to him about more specific training for fast bowling."

"There is a chance we have gone away from what fast bowlers need to do to bowl fast and be strong and fit and continue to bowl fast. I will see if he is willing to give it a go," the fiery pacer of yesteryears said.

Lillee believes that Johnson still has good six years of international cricket left in him.

"He's got a good six years in him. I think, he will come back hungrier but if we set up a program, he will also come back hungrier and fitter and hopefully with a better armoury.

He will still be able to bowl thunderbolts on occasions."

Lillee emphasised on the fact that one needs to learn how to bowl smarter.

"I've just read Brett Lee's book and he said he should have realised the need to bowl smarter a bit earlier. It has to happen to everyone - though Jeff Thomson may have been the exception - but you have to go to the next phase as a fast bowler to continue successfully."